Sushi Suzuki — Restaurant in Seattle

The Omakase umami experience of your dreams. Each bite was better than the last -- and there were 20+

Not only did I learn the importance of rice and temperature, but watching the care and craft that went into every course will make anyone feel special. Tuna cut and prepared three different ways, two colors of the most perfect uni, and my first time having nodoguro (Black throat sea perch / AKA fatty white fish) which is like if tuna ate butter and then won every cooking competition by just showing up. Insanity.

And don't hesitate to add the sake tasting. I know next to nothing about Sake other than I really liked all of the 5 glasses they served me that were perfectly unique and balanced against each bite -- and if you are lucky enough to get a glass of "Untitled", or "Seventh Heaven" (Masumi Nanago Yamahai Junmai Daiginjo) you're welcome.

Pro tip: if you are traveling solo / traveling alone/ traveling for business, you can get added as the 11th person to the normal 10-person Omakase table on Tock! I was lucky enough to snag a same day reservation while researching the best sushi in Seattle on my 7-hour flight. You just need to book before 12 pm PT by searching for that coveted reservation for one. And a 5 pm seating for an East Coaster is the perfect dinner reservation for your first night on a business trip to get to bed and wake up happy.

A huge thank you to Chef Suzuki and team - and a huge thank you to the staff that made me feel welcomed from the start and that I was never dining alone. I will be back for...

Be mindful that if you have the table reservation, you will be treated as second class citizens. Like many others, we booked this restaurant to celebrate my husband's birthday. I noted on my reservation and was acknowledged by the staff when we arrive. Towards the end of the course, the chef started celebrating birthdays of 3 guests sitting in the bar by bringing out cakes with candles and asking everyone, including table guests, to sing a birthday song. It was extremely awkward for us because the chef did not do anything to acknowledge it was my husband's birthday as well (the restaurant was very intimate; there are only three tables next to the bar). I voiced my frustration in the end as this is not the type of experience/ service you would expect when you spend over $400 for a meal. The server was defensive at first but was later nice and apologetic. Apparently if you have the table reservation, they won't do any special celebration, which I completely understand. However, it was not clear when you make a reservation and no one told me in advance my request could not be accommodated. If you go there to celebrate special occasions - make sure to book the bar! Food was good but we had better omakase in...

Sushi Suzuki is the best omakase experience available in the Pacific Northwest. Suzuki-san's fish is flown in from the Toyosu Market, with every piece adequately aged, prepared, and executed. His showmanship, technique, and speed are like nothing I've ever seen up until now. He's a very personable, humorous chef with a lot of passion for his work and craft. My friend and I made a reservation for 4:45 (heads up, don't be afraid to open the door too early), and Suzuki-san, Hiro-san, and the staff happily greeted us. I love how he progresses the meal, with a strong start of toro temaki(fatty tuna handroll), salmon, and smoked ora king salmon. Moving on to the white meat (kue, kamasu, etc.), and then to shellfish. And lastly, finishing off with the 3-month aged tunas (akami, chutoro zuke, otoro), uni, minidon, and a very custardy tamago (unlike the atsuyaki tokyo style tamago). This restaurant is a very intimate and fun dining experience; it's just you and the chef (and a couple of other customers). I've been to nearly every omakase experience that Washington state has to offer and you'll find it tough to find a sushi venture...